Positively supported cam for engaging a traverse rod

ABSTRACT

Pivotally mounted clip for holding a traverse rod in a bracket. In a traverse rod and bracket combination wherein the traverse rod is held by a tongue and groove arrangement at its forward edge and includes a slot in its rearward surface, there is provided a clip capable of pivotal mounting onto the bracket for entering into said last-named slot and acting therein to hold the brackets firmly against and in fixed position with respect to said bracket. Said clip has one portion lying against the bracket and pivotally connected thereto and another portion spaced away from said bracket for entering into said slot. A screw passes through the last-named portion and is threadedly received into said bracket. Tightening of the screw acts between the rod slot and the pivotal mounting of the clip whereby to urge the rod snugly and solidly against the bracket and to hold same in such position without placing strain upon or relying upon the strength of said pivotal mounting in so doing.

[ 1 Dec. 23, 1975 POSITIVELY SUPPORTED CAM FOR ENGAGING A TRAVERSE ROD Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn Pivotally mounted clip for holding a traverse rod in a bracket. in a traverse rod and bracket combination wherein the traverse rod is held by a tongue and groove arrangement at its forward edge and includes a slot in its rearward surface, there is provided a clip capable of pivotal mounting onto the bracket for entering into said last-named slot and acting therein to hold the brackets firmly against and in fixed position with respect to said bracket. Said clip has one portion lying against the bracket and pivotally connected thereto and another portion spaced away from said bracket for entering into said slot. A screw passes through the last-named portion and is threadedly received into said bracket. Tightening of the screw acts between the rod slot and the pivotal mounting of the clip whereby to urge the rod snugly and solidly against the bracket and to hold same in such position without placing strain upon or relying upon the strength of said pivotal mounting in so doing.

ABSTRACT 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures [75] Inventor: James A. Ford, Sherman Township,

St. Joseph County, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Kirsch Company, Sturgis, Mich.

[22] Filed: Feb. 14, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 442,378

[52] US. Cl. 16/94 R; 160/345 [51] Int. Cl. A47H H04 [58] Field of Search 16/87 R, 87.2, 87.4 R, 16/93 D, 94 R, 94 D, 95 D, 96 D; 248/2205, 223, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265; 160/330, 345, 346; 403/315, 316, 321; 292/105, 206

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 512,529 l/l894 Aichele 403/321 2,367,l27 l/1945 .lohansson.. 292/206 X 3,029,465 4/1962 Graber 16/94 D 3,247,893 4/1966 Ford 160/345 3,273,197 9/1966 Ford 1 16/94 3,344,463 10/1967 Znamirowski 16/94 D 3,424,225 l/1969 Magnusson 16/95 D X US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 1 POSITIVELY SUPPORTED CAM FOR. ENGAGING A TRAVERSE ROD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a traverse rod construction and particularly to positive means for supporting a traverse rod firmly on, and immovably with respect to, a suitable bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .The problem of properly mounting and supporting a traverse rod on, or with respect to, a wall or ceiling has been a continuing one since the earliest conception of traverse rod devices. It being desirable to mount such suggested over the past fifty or sixty years that traverse I rods have been in common use. Many of these work very well for relatively lightweight traverse rods but are somewhat less than fully satisfactory when applied to heavier traverse rods. This is normally due either to a reliance upon the stiffness of a metal part over a somewhatv extended distance for holding a traverse rod in place, as for example in US. Pat. No. 3,344,463 to Henry Znamirowski, with the result that the metal may relax over a period of time and fail to hold the traverse rodfirmly against the bracket, or the rods are held by somewhat more complicated means including independent screw-held clips which are inconvenient to install (as, for example, in the case of US. Pat. No. 3,345,678).

Therefore, insofar as I am aware there has not yet been provided a traverse rod support device adaptable for relatively heavy brackets which is both easily manipulatable for installation and yet capable of firmly and positively holding said traverse rod over a long period of time.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention include:

I. To provide a support for a traverse rod which will provide a firm and positive holding thereof against a suitable bracket.

2. To provide a traverse rod support, as aforesaid, of

sufficiently positive nature that it will maintain the can be mounted or demount ed by'the use of only a simple tool, such as a screw driver.

6. To provide traverse rod mounting means, as aforesaid, which will be of extremely simple nature and therefore inexpensive to manufacture, install and use. Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with devices of this general type upon reading the specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side end view of a traverse rod and bracket together with the mounting means of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 1 showing the mounting structure on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the'mounting clip embodying the invention separate from the apparatus with which it is operatively associated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly summarized, the invention comprises a clip pivotally affixed at one end thereof to a bottom horizontal surface of the bracket, offset away from said bracket at a point intermediate the ends of said clip, and projecting at its other end into a slot in the adjacent surface of the traverse rod. A fastening screw is threaded into thebottom surface of the bracket at a point generally intermediate the ends of said clip and aligned with the offset portion thereof. A suitable slot is provided for permitting the clip to move into and out of engagement with respect to said screw. Thus,when said screw is tightened it will positively hold said clip against the upper surface of said slot and thereby the traverse rod against the bottom surface of the bracket, but the screw may be readily loosened to release the clip and enable it to move away therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, there is shown an extruded traverse rod, made of aluminum in the particular embodiment illustrated, together with a bracket similarly madefrom extruded material and cut into sections of suitable width. While the invention is not confined to such extruded bracket and rod designs or constructions, it is designed in this embodiment particularly for use therewith and will accordingly be so illustrated and described. It will .be understood, however, that other bracket and rod constructions are equally adaptable to use with the clip in question and the invention will be understood accordingly.

Referring first to the traverse rod utilized to illustrate the invention, there is provided an elongated member such as extruded rod 1 having any desired bottom configuration 2 for holding longitudinally traveling hangers and appropriate upper slot forming means for receiving the support means. In this embodiment there is provided upstanding means 3 defining a slot 4 for the reception of the toe 5 of the bracket or mounting member 6 in firmly engaging relationship therewith. For reasons which will appear further hereinafter, there is also in this embodiment provided an upstanding wall 7 cooperating with a surface 8 of the bracket for preventing rightward movement as shown in FIG. 1 of the rod with respect to the bracket.

There is further provided a slot forming means 9 at the leftward (as shown in FIG. 1) side of the traverse rod, same in this embodiment comprising an upstanding flange 11 in association with the horizontal flange 12 to define a leftwardly opening slot 13, which slot is in part defined by the lower downwardly directed surface of the flange l2.

The bracket 6 is then provided with suitable means for fastening in any conventional manner to the surface 3 intended to support same, in this embodiment such being the downwardly extending leg 14 for mounting said bracket onto a vertical surface, such as the wall of a room.

Turning now to the clip structure to be used with the bracket and rod above described, the clip fastening 21 is of generally rectangular formation as best shown in FIG. 4, and includes a pivoting portion 21A and a holding portion 21B-21C, which sections are connected-by an offset 33. The portion 21A has a pivot opening 22 therethrough, and also has a cut-off corner 24 whose funtion will appear better hereinafter. The holding portion has a portion 218 adjacent the end thereof with a rounded comer 23 whose arc is centered on the opening 22. The holding portion also includes an intemiediate portion 21C having formed therein a slotlike opening 26 which is likewise of arcuate nature and centered on the opening 22 and means, here a slot 27, for the insertion of an operating tool, such as a screw driver. The clip is offset at a point indicated at 33 and located between the pivot opening 22 and the slot 26, whereby, as best appearing in FIG. 3, the portion 21A containing the pivot opening 22 may lie closely against the underside of the bracket 6 whereas the portion 21C containing slot 26 will be spaced an appreciable distance away therefrom.

Said clip is mounted to the underside of the bracket 6 by any convenient means, such as a screw or in this case the hollow rivet shown at 28, which rivet extends through the pivot opening 22. A screw 29 extends through the slot 26 and is threadedly received into the bracket 6.

When in the position shown in the drawings, the clip 21 extends into the slot 13 of the rod and with the screw 29 tightened the end of said clip urges said rod firmly and positively upwardly to bear snugly against the support surface 34 of the bracket 6 due to flange 12 being tightly clamped between the front portion of the clip and the top leg of the bracket. If, as is preferable, the clip is dimensioned so that its edge 31 also bears snugly against the bottom 32 of the slot 13, this will urge the flange 7 of the rod 1 tightly against the surface 8 of the bracket and hold the entire structure tightly in position. Alternatively, however, where a less expensive and therefore less precise structure is desired, the edge 31 may be deliberately spaced slightly from the surface 32 and the relationship of the flanges 3 and 7 on the rod to the end and surface 8 of the bracket may be relied upon for holding the bracket and rod against relatively little motion with respect to each other rightwardly or leftwardly as appearing in FIG. 1.

By causing the area of the clip adjacent the opening 22 to bear directly against the underside of the bracket 6, a firm and reliable pivotal fastening may be achieved by simple and inexpensive rivets. However, by causing the portion of the clip adjacent the slot 26 to be spaced from the bottom surface of the bracket 6, the screw 29 is permitted to move such portion of the clip sufficiently toward the bracket to engage the lower surface of the flange 12 and press the flange l2 fimily against the bottom surface of the bracket 6.

OPERATION When the traverse rod is to be installed, the slot defining means 3 is slipped over the toe 5 of the bracket 6 and same is then rotated, clockwise as appearing in FIG. 1, until the flange 12 of the rod contacts the support surface 34 of the bracket 6. With the screw driver inserted into the slot 27 and the screw 29 in a somewhat retracted condition, the clip 21 may then be pivoted around its pivotal fastening at 22 and thereby caused to enter the slot 13 as shown. As this occurs, the walls defining the slot 26 will pass on both sides of the screw 29 until the screw occupies the position with respect thereto as shown in FIG. 2. Where the edge 31 of the clip is caused to bear snugly against the bottom 32 of the slot 13, the rounded portion 23 will be of sufficient extent to permit same to occur, namely said rounded portion will blend into and be tangent to the edge 31 substantially at a point where a perpendicular from the edge 31 passes through the center of the pivot opening 22.

The screw 29 is then tightened and the rod is held finnly in place against the bracket 6. The space between the screw 29 and the adjacent edge of the flange 12 is sufficiently small that there is virtually no opportunity for the material of the clip to bend and effect a loosening thereof. However, if such does occur, a simple further tightening of the screw will restore the rod to completely firm and immovable relationship to said bracket. This may be repeated if and as needed, although normally it will not be needed, for so long as the upper surface of the offset portion of the clip 21 remains spaced from the opposed surface of the bracket while the upper surface of the flange 12 bears tightly against said surface of the bracket.

For removal of the rod from the bracket, it is evident in light of the foregoing that all that is required is to loosen the screw 29, as with a screw driver, after which the screw driver is placed in the slot 27 for rotation of the clip in the proper direction, counterclockwise as appearing in FIG. 3, until same is withdrawn from the slot 13 after which the rod can readily be rotated slightly counterclockwise as appearing in FIG. 1 and removed from the bracket.

It will be recognized that the holding is positive, there is nothing required to spring or snap into place, the opportunity for distortion between the screw and the portion of the clip entering the slot 13 is minimal and can be readily rectified if it should occur and no strain is placed upon the pivot means acting through the pivot opening 22.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination with a bracket having a rod receiving surface and a traverse rod having a rod portion defining thereon a clamping surface which is substantially parallel with and facing in the same direction as said receiving surface when the rod is in an installed position thereagainst, said clamping surface being spaced from said receiving surface, a fastening clip comprising:

a pivoting portion including means for pivoting said clip to said bracket at a point spaced from the traverse rod, and a holding portion which is substantially parallel to said receiving surface but spaced therefrom for engaging said clamping surface when the rod portion is positioned between said receiving surface and said holding portion;

an opening through said holding portion of said clip,

and threaded means extending through said opening and threadably engaged with said bracket for causing the holding portion of said clip to bear against said clamping surface for urging said rod snugly against said receiving surface, said threaded means being independent of and spaced from said pivoting means.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivoting portion lies directly against a surface of said bracket.

3. The combination clip as defined in claim 1,

wherein said pivoting portion bear solidly against but pivotally with respect to said receiving surface of said bracket, and said holding portion being offset from said pivoting portion and parallel to said receiving surface but spaced therefrom for receiving said rod portion therebetween.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said opening is a curved slot extending inwardly from one edge of said fastening clip, said curve being centered on the center of pivoting of said clip.

5. The combination clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding portion of said clip has an engaging part adjacent the free end thereof which engages said clamping surface, and said threaded means extending through said holding portion at a location between said pivoting portion and said engaging part.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said opening is between said point of pivoting and the portion of said clip which engages said clamping surface.

7. The combination of claim 1 including a further slot formed in said clip for receiving a screw driver.

8. A mounting structure for mounting an elongated member, such as a traverse rod, on a support structure, such as a wall, comprising:

a mounting member adapted for attachment to a support structure, such as a wall, said mounting member having a support surface formed thereon; and

6 a fastening clip pivotally supported on said mounting member for swinging movement of said clip relative to said mounting member about an axis which extends transversely with respect to said support surface;

said clip including first and second spaced portions,

said first portion being pivotally connected to said mounting member, and said second portion being disposed in the vicinity of said support surface, said second portion being substantially parallel to but spaced from said support surface so as to permit a portion of said elongated member to be clampingly received therebetween;

said clip further including an intermediate portion disposed between said first and second portions, said intermediate portion being spaced from said mounting member; and

threaded connecting means extending between and being engaged with said mounting member and said intermediate portion for permitting displacement of the second portion of said clip in a direction towards said support surface for permitting the portion of the elongated member to be fixedly clamped therebetween.

9. A structure according to claim 8, wherein said intermediate portion has opening means extending therethrough, and said threaded connecting means extending through said opening means.

10. A structure according to claim 8, wherein said first portion is disposed in engagement with the mounting member in the vicinity of the pivotal connection therebetween, and one of said clip and mounting member including an offset therein at a location disposed between said first portion and said intermediate portion so that said intermediate and second portions of said clip are spaced from said support surface.

11. A structure according to claim 10, wherein said offset is formed in said clip, said intermediate and second portions being substantially planer and being transversely offset relative to said first portion. 

1. In combination with a bracket having a rod receiving surface and a traverse rod having a rod portion defining thereon a clamping surface which is substantially parallel with and facing in the same direction as said receiving surface when the rod is in an installed position thereagainst, said clamping surface being spaced from said receiving surface, a fastening clip comprising: a pivoting portion including means for pivoting said clip to said bracket at a point spaced from the traverse rod, and a holding portion which is substantially parallel to said receiving surface but spaced therefrom for engaging said clamping surface when the rod portion is positioned between said receiving surface and said holding portion; an opening through said holding portion of said clip, and threaded means extending through said opening and threadably engaged with said bracket for causing the holding portion of said clip to bear against said clamping surface for urging said rod snugly against said receiving surface, said threaded means being independent of and spaced from said pivoting means.
 2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivoting portion lies directly against a surface of said bracket.
 3. The combination clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said pivoting portion bear solidly against but pivotally with respect to said receiving surface of said bracket, and said holding portion being offset from said pivoting portion and parallel to said receiving surface but spaced therefrom for receiving said rod portion therebetween.
 4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said opening is a curved slot extending inwardly from one edge of sAid fastening clip, said curve being centered on the center of pivoting of said clip.
 5. The combination clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding portion of said clip has an engaging part adjacent the free end thereof which engages said clamping surface, and said threaded means extending through said holding portion at a location between said pivoting portion and said engaging part.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said opening is between said point of pivoting and the portion of said clip which engages said clamping surface.
 7. The combination of claim 1 including a further slot formed in said clip for receiving a screw driver.
 8. A mounting structure for mounting an elongated member, such as a traverse rod, on a support structure, such as a wall, comprising: a mounting member adapted for attachment to a support structure, such as a wall, said mounting member having a support surface formed thereon; and a fastening clip pivotally supported on said mounting member for swinging movement of said clip relative to said mounting member about an axis which extends transversely with respect to said support surface; said clip including first and second spaced portions, said first portion being pivotally connected to said mounting member, and said second portion being disposed in the vicinity of said support surface, said second portion being substantially parallel to but spaced from said support surface so as to permit a portion of said elongated member to be clampingly received therebetween; said clip further including an intermediate portion disposed between said first and second portions, said intermediate portion being spaced from said mounting member; and threaded connecting means extending between and being engaged with said mounting member and said intermediate portion for permitting displacement of the second portion of said clip in a direction towards said support surface for permitting the portion of the elongated member to be fixedly clamped therebetween.
 9. A structure according to claim 8, wherein said intermediate portion has opening means extending therethrough, and said threaded connecting means extending through said opening means.
 10. A structure according to claim 8, wherein said first portion is disposed in engagement with the mounting member in the vicinity of the pivotal connection therebetween, and one of said clip and mounting member including an offset therein at a location disposed between said first portion and said intermediate portion so that said intermediate and second portions of said clip are spaced from said support surface.
 11. A structure according to claim 10, wherein said offset is formed in said clip, said intermediate and second portions being substantially planer and being transversely offset relative to said first portion. 